Organic Honey - Raw Organic Honey

"Organic honey isn’t impossible. It’s just beyond of the ability of
most beekeepers. Bee yards situated in isolated spots deep in the
Adirondacks, or mountain valleys in sparsely-populated New Mexico, can
probably pull off honey free of agrochemicals. Most beekeepers operate
within a bee’s flight of pesticides, however, making “organic” honey an
illusory proposition."
Read more here
Scientific American.

"Government, academic and industry experts insist that U.S. organic honey
is a myth. With rare exceptions, this country is too developed and uses too
many agricultural and industrial chemicals to allow for the production of
organic honey."

"Like other foods from free-roaming, wild creatures, it is difficult--and in
some places impossible--to assure that honey bees have not come in contact
with prohibited substances, like pesticides," said Chuck Benbrook, chief
scientist for the Organic Center, a national advocacy group for the research
and promotion of organic food." Read more here
Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

No pesticides or herbicides are used in our apiaries and although we do not
call it organic, our honey (especially our
Adirondack Wildflower Honey)
is about as organic as you
can get from The United States.

Raw Adirondack
Wildflower Honey With Light Cappings

We have a limited amount of Raw Adirondack Wildflower Honey
with Light Cappings.

Raw Honey (L), Raw Honey With Light Cappings (R)

Cappings are small particles of propolis, flecks of honey
comb and grains of pollen that pass through the sieve when raw honey is
strained.

Propolis has used by humans for eons by many cultures for its health
benefits and as a traditional, natural or homeopathic medicine to treat
wounds and for problems ranging from itching to cancer. Propolis has been
shown to have antibiotic, antiseptic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and
antiviral properties and is effective against streptococcus bacteria.

Other studies have found propolis effective in treating minor burns, minor
infections, minor wounds, dental pain, inflammatory diseases and genital
herpes. Today it is marketed today as a healthy dietary supplement and is
available as chunks, capsules, tablets, powder and tinctures. It can be
found in some chewing gums, ointments, personal care products and is being
investigated as a tooth enamel hardener and a dental sealant.

Raw honey is often used by pollen allergy sufferers to lessen their
sensitivity to pollen by eating 1 to 2 tsp. of it each day. The idea is that
by introducing small amounts of pollen into their system by eating raw
honey, a tolerance to pollen allergens is built up.

Due to the higher amount of propolis and pollen, raw honey with cappings is
sought after by those looking to maximize its health benefits.

Mohawk Valley Trading Company raw honey has not been heated, filtered,
blended or processed. All of the pollen, enzymes, propolis, vitamins, amino
acids, antioxidants, minerals and aromatics are in the same condition as
they were in the hive.

If you are planning to buy honey for its health-benefits, it must be raw
honey. Heating honey (pasteurization) destroys the all of the pollen,
enzymes, propolis, vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants and
aromatics. Honey that has been heated and filtered is called liquid, regular
or commercial honey.

The reason honey is heated is that the majority of Americans prefer the
convenience of being able to spoon, pour or squeeze honey from a bottle onto
their cereal or into their tea.

In addition, liquid or regular honey is clearer, easier to measure or spread
than raw honey and many people think that honey that has crystallized is
spoiled so they discard it. Honey that has been heated and filtered will not
crystallize as fast as raw honey.

Although we specialize in raw honey, we also offer regular honey for those
who prefer it.

Wildflower honey, also known as polyfloral honey, is derived from the
nectar of numerous species of flowers or blossoms. The taste, aroma and
flavor will vary from season to season, depending on what flowers are
dominant at the time the nectar is collected.

Raw wildflower honey or goldenrod honey is often used by pollen allergy
sufferers to lessen their sensitivity to pollen by eating 1 to 2 tsp. of it
each day. The idea is, that by introducing small amounts of pollen into
their system by eating raw honey, a tolerance to pollen allergens is built
up.

Raw honey will crystallize over time and will usually have a slight layer of
white foam on the surface, marble-like swirling or white spots in the upper
sides of the jar. This is caused by air bubbles that have risen to the top
and a sign that the honey has been packed without heating.

To soften or liquefy crystallized raw honey, place the jar in warm water.